Leadership and Management Development: Leadership by design

The Leadership and Management Development Council serves as a catalyst in pulling together the resources needed to strengthen the leadership capabilities amongst small and medium sized business owners. A not-for-profit organization, the LMDC works in partnership with the corporate sector, educational institutions, and government.

The challenge
The Leadership and Management Development Council was created in response to a groundbreaking Chamber of Commerce report that found that businesses would have to improve their leadership and management skills in order to become more competitive. The report also found that business leaders wanted to know how they stacked up against world class leaders and managers.

Strategy and execution
The LMDC hired Whalebone Productions to develop and implement a strategic plan that would help them achieve their mandate. Several key initiatives were identified and undertaken, including the creation of a Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy and an E-Business Centre.

Of particular significance was the development of the Small Business Check-up, an on-line self-assessment tool to help business owners and managers measure their abilities, assess their skill development needs and improve their performance by examining how they compare with companies recognized to be the best in their class.

Results
Whalebone Productions was successful in assembling a team of high-profile corporate partners that have helped the LMDC achieve its objectives for enhancing the leadership and management capabilities of small and medium sized business owners. In addition, the Council has successfully accessed more than $1 million in funding for innovative projects.

• Benchmarking small businesses
• Inventory of management skills
• Online diagnostic tool
• Peer group mentoring
• Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy

Index